Did all 69 435hp cars have A.I.R. ?

[george culolias]

Mine doesn't have it and I'm wondering if someone took it off 30 years ago? Also If I didn't put it back on and had it judged how much of a deduction would that be. I've bought the manuels but they are kind of hard to figure out.

[Jack H.]

Re: Did all 69 435hp cars have A.I.R. ?

From the 1968-69 NCRS Judging Guide:

"All 1968 and 1969 Corvettes were equipped with A.I.R."

[Dick W.]

Re: Did all 69 435hp cars have A.I.R. ?

All 435 engines in 1969 had AIR. Even export cars were so equipped. I do not have a judging sheet in front of me to tell you the point deduction, but it is quite a few points.

[Geoff C.]

All sixty eight, four thirty fives, too *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: All sixty eight, four thirty fives, too

Geoffrey-----

ALL 1968 Corvettes PERIOD. That included all small blocks, all big blocks, and all transmissions. They were even going to use them on MEDIUM BLOCKS but they ended up not making any.

By the way, NOT all Chevrolets during the 68-69 period had AIR, though. This is what creates a lot of confusion regarding the application of these systems. Most Chevrolets with automatic transmissions during the 68-69 period did not use AIR; most Chevrolets with manual transmissions DID use AIR. Corvettes with automatic transmission were the exception during this period. Regardless of transmission, they got AIR.

Why? I believe it's because AIR was the system that achieved the required exhaust emissions compliance WITH THE LEAST DETRIMENTAL EFFECT on engine performance. The "controlled combustion system" used on most Chevrolets with automatic transmissions, while much less expensive, had a much more negative impact on engine performance. Since Corvettes were supposed to be a "high performance vehicle" in really all forms, they got the much more expensive AIR system, even with automatic transmission.

For 1970-71 things changed, though. I suppose the "bean counters" won out and most Corvettes, regardless of transmission, received the "controlled combustion system". The exceptions were LT-1 and LS-6. They received the AIR system and, most likely, for the same reason that it was used for all 1968-69 Corvettes.